HELP OUR DOCTORS

STUDENT PRESSURE COME TOGETHER

Doctors in Prince George have made changes to the way we see our patients, to help you stay safe from COVID-19, and to ensure that we and our office staff stay safe as well.

We know that a lot of people are concerned about going to their physician’s office or going to the emergency room during this difficult time, but we want to emphasize how important it is for people to make sure they are receiving ongoing care from their family doctor.

We can provide virtual care - over the phone or by video call - for most conditions,and prescribe medications this way as well. If an in-person visit is needed, our offices will arrange that too, in a way that will be safe.

If you have a health issue of any kind, please phone your family doctor’s office as you would normally do. Please DO NOT go to the office for a drop-in appointment or to book an appointment. The office staff will work with you to determine whether the doctor can provide you with a virtual care visit or, if necessary, book a time when you can safely see the doctor in person.

If you do not have a family doctor

(or your doctor is not available) please contact the Urgent Primary Care Centre (former Nechako Medical Clinic) at 250645-6912, or Salveo Clinic at 250-614-0005, whichever your preference would normally be. These clinics are also offering virtual appointments or can see you in person if that is necessary. Doctors and staff at these clinics will be in communication with your family doctor’s office.

If you are mildly or moderately symptomatic with a cough, fever, sore throat, vomiting, or diarrhea:

Do not enter a health care facility. Call your doctor’s office first as instructed above. Self-isolate immediately (refer to www.bccdc.ca website for instructions on how to do this).

A useful self-assessment tool to help you decide if you need further assessment or testing for COVID-19 can be found at https://bc.thrive.health/

If you have questions related to COVID19 other resources include:

Call the Northern Health virtual COVID19 clinic and information line at 1-844-6457811.

Check for current information on COVID-19 at www.northernhealth.ca

Thank you for doing your part to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including practicing strict social distancing if you are well and strict self-isolation if you are unwell—this will help keep us all safe.

It is important during this challenging time that you continue to address your medical issues with your family doctor, especially if you have a chronic condition. Receiving care from the doctor who knows you best, and who is familiar with your medical history ensures this information is taken into account.

As always, if you have shortness of breath, cannot speak in full sentences, chest pain or pressure, drowsiness or confusion or any other urgent medical problem, please proceed directly to UHNBC Emergency or call 911.

I am a first-year nursing student in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program currently enrolled at CNC in Prince George. I am contacting you about the lack of response on the part of the CNC administrators to the pandemic. They have not been very forthcoming with their students.

The change to online format has been tough for many of the students and teachers alike. However, the CNC administration has not been very responsive to the subject of grades or withdrawing from classes without academic penalty. Several weeks ago, institutions like UVIC, UBC, UBCO, and even UNBC had allowed their students to either keep their grades or have a pass or fail reported on their transcript with no effect on the overall GPA.

I initially emailed CNC admin and only got two responses and several times prior updating them that more prestigious institutions are making changes. However, I received no response.

Many students have suffered from the change to online courses due to COVID-19

COVID-19 has become a household phrase, one that children and elderly should not know of, nor should they have to fear, yet here it is and changing from day to day.

During these uncertain times, people are met with challenges like “will I have a job tomorrow?,” “will the stress get so bad that I have health problems that are not related?” and “how will I feed my family?”

The list goes on and on. I had been observing people before self-isolating and what I saw was concerning. Medical professionals not adhering to regulations, essential service front line workers not having adequate protection while performing their duties and so on. And still these workers smile trying to do their best to put their patients at ease. Others in the community being nonchalant and careless by not self-isolating after travel or not washing hands regularly.

There are stories of doom and gloom